“Development of the north is vital towards resilient communities” – President SLRCS

Posted on Thursday, February 11th, 2016

10/02/2016 – Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka: A new branch building constructed by support from the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Canadian Red Cross (CRC) was opened yesterday (09th Feb) with the participation of branch officials, staff and volunteers under the auspices of the President of Sri Lanka Red Cross Jagath Abeysinghe.

Addressing the gathering the President of SLRCS emphasized on the importance of providing a better humanitarian service to the people in the area that would ensure resilient communities who would have a better chance of surviving future disasters.

Kilinochchi District’s population stands at over 112,000. The population of the district is almost exclusively Sri Lankan Tamil. The population of the district, like the rest of the north and east of Sri Lanka, has been heavily affected by the civil war during. However since the conflict ended there has been much rapid development within the city, yet there are areas of much focus that needs to be addressed. 
The SLRCS Kilinochchi branch provides much needed support in disaster management, health and care, first aid and is also working closely with the Post Conflict Recovery Programme to provide permanent housing to people affected by the conflict.
The President of SLRCS also focused more on how branches in the south needs to provide additional support to the branches that are now developing in the north.
The Head of Delegation of IFRC Sri Lanka Igor Dmitryuk, Vice Chairman of the SLRCS Kilinochchi Branch S. Sivagurunathan, Deputy Director General of SLRCS Col. Sudath Madugalle, staff of the Kilinochchi branch along with volunteers were present at the event.
Meanwhile the President of SLRCS also visited the Mullativu branch during this visit as well. Here he took steps to donate a truck for the welfare use of the Mullativu branch. Discussions were also held with branch officials with regard to the status of the branch.

SLRCS Mullativu Branch also distributed 121 school kits to school children at Mu/Muththuvinayakar Tamil Vidylayam in Oddusuddan Division.President of SLRCS Jagath Abeysinghe, Chairman of Finance Commission Prasanna Dassannayake Deputy Director General of SLRCS Col.Sudath Madugalle and Zonal Director of Education Ms. Malini Weniton and students, teachers and parents took part in the event.